Is the Reformation Over? A Review by Iain Murray – Question of Discernment

This is just one of the passages from Jeremiah that we could reference...what has happened in England (the land of the martyrs and the Puritans) is happening in America...

“ Stand in the ways and see,
And ask for the old paths, where the good way is,
And walk in it;
Then you will find rest for your souls.
But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,

‘ Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.’
Therefore hear, you nations,
And know, O congregation, what is among them.

Hear, O earth!
Behold, I will certainly bring calamity on this people—
The fruit of their thoughts,
Because they have not heeded My words
Nor My law, but rejected it…”

[Jeremiah 6:16-19]

"Has the ecumenical movement produced a stronger more vibrant church that is working according to the Great Commission?"-Vft

I am assume by your comment that some movement is afoot to unify all the different beliefs and consolidate church government? I illustrate with this question my ignorance of such.

I will say, however, that unity among the believer is not possible except it first begins with the unity of the believer with the Spirit. It is the Spirit that leads the believer (Romans 8:14) into ALL truth (John 16:13), speaking what He hears and not of Himself. Bluntly, we can profess to believe all we want, and even be unified in our error among ourselves, but if we have not the Spirit of God, we are none of His (Romans 8:9); and enjoy His goodness only so far as He is merciful (Proverbs 1).

The state of the "Church" is one that is borne of man's wisdom, not revealed truth according to the Spirit. To commune with God through the Spirit requires commitment, not to our will but God's will. When people actually believe they can live wickedly and be a Christian, something is wrong. Such believe they can change the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man (Romans 1:23); God will let them think so (Romans 1:28), but in the end it will not stand.

My opinion on your question is this: the Church was stonger and more vibrant, when persecution drove the believer into the arms of God. Prosperity has lured us away from this embrace.

Good encouragement to hear from you.

This has been a difficult week. Murray has cut me to the quick with his analysis of Lloyd-Jones and Packer. I have felt what it means to desire the approval of men and to avoid doctrinal controversy.

It is easier to be well thought of by men than to believe and act as though God means what He has revealed.

Remember, it's the world that loves thier own (John 15:19); we are to suffer(1 Peter 2:19-20), not because we deserve it, but because we are not above our Master, whom it also hated first (John 15:18).

Luke 6:26
Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.


The Truth is only popular among those who love Him (it):

Isaiah 53:2
...he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

Perhaps I have missed it. Who is Murray and what has he written? Is there a link?

There are several recent articles about Murray's review of the book, 'Is the Reformation Over?' taged under Roman Catholicism. The review is from Murray's new book on Lloyd-Jones that covers the controversy with Packer over his growing interest in unity at the expense of doctrine back in the 60s.

There is no link for the book, but there is one to the sermon that contains the quote about a weak and flabby Protestantism will give rise to a growing and false unity with Rome. The book Murrray is reviewing was written in 2005.